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| popsrocks |
Posted: Nov 08 '07, 12:55 pm |
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Reviews written: 2175 Member since: Aug 25 '02
 in Gourmet, Restaurants |
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RE: New Search Stuff...
Quote: gamblin_man I have been castigated before for being the conveyor of bad news, so all I will say is, "Ask the folk who write in Pets".
Larry
Larry, in another thread it was said some were impressed by your diplomacy. You are my hero. ; )
I tried the same here by presenting both the good news and the bad.
Having almost 1/4 of reviews without category might bother some. Me, I'm just asking what it means and if this is a particular problem being worked on. Not me specifically but the site in general.
pops
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| popsrocks |
Posted: Nov 08 '07, 7:39 pm |
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Reviews written: 2175 Member since: Aug 25 '02
in Gourmet, Restaurants |
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What, me worry?
Quote: popsrocks
Having almost 1/4 of reviews without category might bother some. Me, I'm just asking what it means and if this is a particular problem being worked on. Not me specifically but the site in general.
pops
A little earlier today I noted that I had 282 reviews without category listings. Just checked again.
NOT ONE MISSING!!
The magic is happening at Epinions.com
pops
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| jps246 |
Posted: Nov 09 '07, 6:20 am |
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Reviews written: 848 Member since: Jan 25 '01
in Outdoor Gear, Sporting Goods |
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RE: What, me worry?
Quote: popsrocks The magic is happening at Epinions.com
It must have been the Epinions Fairy...sprinkling that dust over the reviews to make them all move to the correct categories...
Jeff
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| KMINER |
Posted: Nov 09 '07, 6:02 pm |
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Reviews written: 1004 Member since: Jan 17 '00
in Kids & Family |
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RE: New Search Stuff...
Quote: susieq112 Kimm, I just wanted to let you know and maybe some others, that moving category-less reviews in K&F does not make a category appear for them on your profile, I don't know about other sections but I did spend some time moving many of my reviews eariler this week and most, if not more, of my reviews are now catergory-less...
I did notice atleast in K&F certain products haven't been affected like carseats. A search on your carseat reviews should land your listing on the first page, but some of the toys have multiple listings now and some of the newer listings are better and some are worse. K&F seems to be a bit of a mess, with some baby foods lingering over in Food & Wine and the old listings are hard to pull up in search.
Some of my SAP'd items, the reviews I wrote are gone and other reviews in old listings (and with no new listings to put them under) are only found by googling them, even if that works...
Susan
Thanks, I see I didn't move nary a one, and today they all had "homes" again ...
does that mean I get to ask another question? lol --- I have one ready :0)
The Ever Puzzled Kimm
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| clearconcise |
Posted: Nov 09 '07, 6:41 pm |
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Reviews written: 14 Member since: Dec 11 '06
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What's going on?
What exactly is going on here?
A few weeks ago I searched for "Windows Vista", and the first result was Windows Vista Home Premium with many reviews.
Now, when I search for Windows Vista, I get 7,546 results. The first ones are desktop computers that happen to include Windows Vista. Then, we have a few listings for Vista itself. Then, we have a few listings for Office 2007. Then, we have keyboards and mice that happen to be compatible with Vista. Then, we have a few more listings for Vista itself. Then, we have a few more listings for Office 2007.
I continued sifting through the search results for 15 pages and found about 25 listings of Vista Retail, none of which had any reviews.
First review sweepstakes are now a joke since someone could (and will if the problem is not fixed) write a review for one of the hundreds of Vista listings that do not have reviews instead of the one listing (which I could not find) that does.
Can we please go back to the old search engine? Please? |
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| nc10 |
Posted: Nov 09 '07, 7:04 pm |
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Reviews written: 256 Member since: Dec 01 '00
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: clearconcise First review sweepstakes are now a joke since someone could (and will if the problem is not fixed) write a review for one of the hundreds of Vista listings that do not have reviews No risk of that. Have you tried clicking on any of the "write a review" or product links?
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| roheblius |
Posted: Nov 09 '07, 9:09 pm |
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Reviews written: 601 Member since: Dec 13 '99
in Music |
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: clearconcise
Now, when I search for Windows Vista, I get 7,546 results. The first ones are desktop computers that happen to include Windows Vista. Then, we have a few listings for Vista itself. Then, we have a few listings for Office 2007. Then, we have keyboards and mice that happen to be compatible with Vista. Then, we have a few more listings for Vista itself. Then, we have a few more listings for Office 2007.
On the left hand side, there is the option to narrow down your search. If you narrow it down by clicking on Software, the Vista listing is there.
But like Neal said, there are still many broken links that we're working to fix.
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| clearconcise |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 7:12 am |
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Reviews written: 14 Member since: Dec 11 '06
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: nc10 No risk of that. Have you tried clicking on any of the "write a review" or product links?
Ahh, okay. Still, that's a major problem. Having a search engine that finds hundreds of broken links and only one good one means that many products simply will not receive any hits until the problem is fixed.
[quote]On the left hand side, there is the option to narrow down your search. If you narrow it down by clicking on Software, the Vista listing is there.
But like Neal said, there are still many broken links that we're working to fix.
I tried that. On the first page, there are three "Vista Home Premium" listings, all of which go to "the page you requested was not found".
It doesn't just happen in software, either. I searched for "rain-x" and had to go through ten pages of broken links before finding a listing for Rain-X that had reviews.
I don't see how the site can function in this condition. Some members have been reporting that their hits are down. It's probably because the average reader will leave the site before going through ten pages of search results looking for a review.
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| KMINER |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 7:50 am (Updated: Nov 10 '07, 7:54 am) |
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Reviews written: 1004 Member since: Jan 17 '00
in Kids & Family |
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RE: What's going on?
PLACING A REVIEW
Ok, so working on my draft reviews (since I already have them directly linked to previously), I finshed a Beauty review and published.
When I Epinions Search for the product it shows here http://www.epinions.com/reviews/The_Body_Shop_Spa_Wisdom_Blissful_Body_Cleanser
but my review is actually posted here, where I got the direct SAP link from Shantel http://www.epinions.com/reviews/The_Body_Shop_Spa_Wisdom_Blissful_Body_Cleanser
looks like the same URL right? but when I go directly there I get my link, my SAP, my picture -- and when I search I get to a "be the first review" and a smaller, blurrier (guessing fed from somewhere else?) picture.
* I see the "headings" are different though. When Shantel SAP'ed it for me it went under Bath & Body, the site search shows it under the new Personal Care.
Kimm |
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| nc10 |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 8:40 am (Updated: Nov 10 '07, 8:50 am) |
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Reviews written: 256 Member since: Dec 01 '00
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: clearconcise Ahh, okay. Still, that's a major problem. Absolutely.
Quote: clearconcise On the first page, there are three "Vista Home Premium" listings, all of which go to "the page you requested was not found". I see a few pages of Vista Home Premium listings, OEM, upgrade, etc, lots of duplicates. All broken. I'm wondering what Epinions "vision" is for product listings in the computer categories.
Search gives some confusing results right now, so many duplicates and near duplicates, listings that show "Not available", missing images, etc. There are other problems, for example, if you search for the term Quicken 2008 or Intuit 2008 you get several hits, including as many as five for Quicken Deluxe 2008. But if you search specifically for Quicken Deluxe 2008, you get the Page Not Found error. Weird.
Quote: clearconcise It doesn't just happen in software, either. I searched for "rain-x" and had to go through ten pages of broken links before finding a listing for Rain-X that had reviews. From what I hear, there are broken link problems in several other categories. I certainly see a lot in Computer Hardware and Software. Hoping they're fixed soon. Andy tells us listings with reviews will move up the rankings over time, as shoppers see them. Over a 1 week period, I've not seen any ranking improvement on a couple of reviews that are hidden among a bunch of near duplicate listings w/o reviews. |
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| KMINER |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 9:55 am (Updated: Nov 10 '07, 10:08 am) |
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Reviews written: 1004 Member since: Jan 17 '00
in Kids & Family |
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RE: What's going on?
I am answering myself (lol) but I did end up posting the review under the SAP link Shantel sent me ...
I just moved it to the Personal Care link Epinions shows in the search - and noticed that "now" with it being moved the Advisor tags are showing up.
And conversely, a Lysol spray that I moved out of H&G to where it showed on the search in Office Supplies, of course lost the Advisor tags :)
Well that's enough trying to figure it out for me, lol.
Kimm |
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| roheblius |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 10:02 am |
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Reviews written: 601 Member since: Dec 13 '99
in Music |
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: nc10 Andy tells us listings with reviews will move up the rankings over time, as shoppers see them. Over a 1 week period, I've not seen any ranking improvement on a couple of reviews that are hidden among a bunch of near duplicate listings w/o reviews.
The way they move up the search rankings is if they are being searched for.
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| nc10 |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 10:59 am (Updated: Nov 10 '07, 12:22 pm) |
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Reviews written: 256 Member since: Dec 01 '00
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: roheblius The way they move up the search rankings is if they are being searched for.
Got it. But can you explain? Searched for by Epinions search, or also google, or other search engines, or all? What if there are duplicate listings, like the duplicate Vista Home Premium listings, how does epinions know which one was searched for? I'm guessing the reviews also have to be found and clicked on, for the listing to move up....is that right? Or does the shopping link need to be clicked on? For example, I reviewed a very popular laptop recently, one the mfr can barely keep in stock, from what I've read. Its on page 2 of a few pages of nearly identical listings, listings that you find when searching epinions by mfr name and model number. The listing where the reviews (mine plus others) are posted now shows "no longer available" for shopping links (which is incorrect), which I suspect hurts the review's chances also. The different listings (most have working shopping links) are for variations like different hard drive size, or a 2.16 ghz cpu instead of a 2.0ghz cpu, etc. I'm wondering if any will ever find the reviews posted now using epinions search. If the reviews are not found and read, I'm theorizing they will likely stay down the list, or drop further down the rankings. |
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| KMINER |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 11:29 am |
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Reviews written: 1004 Member since: Jan 17 '00
in Kids & Family |
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RE: What's going on?
Also ...
#1 if you move a review is it still "found" (linked to) the Epinions Alerts sent out to my readers?
#2 when searching to write, when we find the right product but "multiple" listing do we write the review there? For example, many cleaning product listings are showing as "12 pack" or "6 pack", when I am reviewing a single can/bottle of it.
I am guessing the "pack" comes from the feed where you can buy a bulk of them.
Kimm :-) |
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| nc10 |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 12:03 pm (Updated: Nov 10 '07, 12:17 pm) |
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Reviews written: 256 Member since: Dec 01 '00
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: KMINER Also ...
#1 if you move a review is it still "found" (linked to) the Epinions Alerts sent out to my readers?
Yes, the links still work, the direct link to the review or comments does not change when the review is "moved".
Quote: KMINER #2 when searching to write, when we find the right product but "multiple" listing do we write the review there? For example, many cleaning product listings are showing as "12 pack" or "6 pack", when I am reviewing a single can/bottle of it. Garrett's comments....when a similar question came up this summer:
http://www.epinions.com/msg/show_~threads/cat_id_~121/id_~15852/forum_id_~441#143450 |
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| KMINER |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 12:51 pm |
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Reviews written: 1004 Member since: Jan 17 '00
in Kids & Family |
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: nc10
Garrett's comments....when a similar question came up this summer:
http://www.epinions.com/msg/show_~threads/cat_id_~121/id_~15852/forum_id_~441#143450
thanks :) we have the "series" rule in H&G so I kinda guessed ... it was just a little weird to see literally 12 bottles of spray cleaner - the picture itself has 12 of them all lined up :) lol
Kimm
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| roheblius |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 1:15 pm (Updated: Nov 10 '07, 1:17 pm) |
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Reviews written: 601 Member since: Dec 13 '99
in Music |
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: nc10 Got it. But can you explain? Searched for by Epinions search, or also google, or other search engines, or all? What if there are duplicate listings, like the duplicate Vista Home Premium listings, how does epinions know which one was searched for? I'm guessing the reviews also have to be found and clicked on, for the listing to move up....is that right? Or does the shopping link need to be clicked on? For example, I reviewed a very popular laptop recently, one the mfr can barely keep in stock, from what I've read. Its on page 2 of a few pages of nearly identical listings, listings that you find when searching epinions by mfr name and model number. The listing where the reviews (mine plus others) are posted now shows "no longer available" for shopping links (which is incorrect), which I suspect hurts the review's chances also. The different listings (most have working shopping links) are for variations like different hard drive size, or a 2.16 ghz cpu instead of a 2.0ghz cpu, etc. I'm wondering if any will ever find the reviews posted now using epinions search. If the reviews are not found and read, I'm theorizing they will likely stay down the list, or drop further down the rankings.
Here's what I know so far (and Andy might've explained this in one of the threads, much better than I can do, but I didn't find it).
I was told that the general search can only display X number of products. In order to find what you're looking for, it's advised to use the left hand navigation bar to drill down. This way, you're getting a much better list.
If you have a review that is not being displayed prominently because of a bad search result, it could be because we had to recreate it for the new Search engine, or the mapping could've missed it. In that case, the more that product is found and clicked on, the better the future result for that term will be.
Now, if you aren't happy with your result, and there is a better listing in search, go ahead and move the product to the better listing. We are working on cleaning up the duplicates, but they are always going to be an issue.
In your case, with your computer, if there's a better listing, we can merge the listings together. Or, you can move your review. If the current listings are too specific, then it's probably not a good idea if they don't match.
The "No Longer Available" text is probably not the best thing to have there. We could change the wording, but remember that we're matching merchant deals. If the merchant deals are there the next week, that same product can have merchant deals. If you're saying that the product is hard to keep in stock, it makes sense that the merchant listings aren't there. |
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| anderclayton |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 4:52 pm |
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Reviews written: 50 Member since: Dec 18 '99
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RE: What's going on?
Quote: roheblius The way they move up the search rankings is if they are being searched for.
Ummm... If you are talking onsite crap, then the bad search engine will just propogate itself. I mean I just did a search for 30 Days of Night and didn't come up with the number one Box Office film. I had to click around a bit to figure out that the film wasn't anywhere close to what came up in the search engine though and then I quit checking out the entries. If this is an indicator of how the search engine would just find things that "are being searched for", it won't work worth any better later on down the line. From the way the other film I searched for worked, it seems as though any Movie will be totally low priority and it will feed upon itself to ensure that this is *always* so.
Asking someone to go category specific will lose general readers. People *aren't prompted* to get more specific with the format of the search engine. Do a search to check out how someone is *not* funneled into a better search right now.
Ander |
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| clearconcise |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 6:15 pm (Updated: Nov 10 '07, 6:27 pm) |
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Reviews written: 14 Member since: Dec 11 '06
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RE: What is going on?
Epinons needs to either:
A. Go back to the old search engine until these problems are fixed.
Or
B. Delete the "number of clicks" database and start a new one for Epinions only, telling the search engine to show listings with reviews first for a few weeks so the click database can build up again.
Member hits have reached almost zero for many products. The majority of searches turn up thousands of broken links or completely irrelevant products before listing what the user was looking for. Most listings that show up in searches not only have no reviews, but do not have a "write a review" link, meaning they really belong in the "related deals" section or on Shopping.com. Listings that have reviews are shown as "no longer avaiable" while listings without reviews have buy links.
Here's yet another example, a search for "ip4300" to find the Canon ip4300 photo printer: http://www.epinions.com/search/sec_~cross_category_search/submitted_form_~searchbar/tax_name_~Calculators/dyn_nav_~0/dyn_nav_id_~/search_vertical_~all/searchbar_submit_~Search/pp_~1?search_string=ip4300
The entire first page is filled not with the photo printer but with ink cartriges that happen to be comaptible with the ip4300. If the search engine ranks listings by the number of clicks they get on Shopping.com, this problem will never fix itself, as people buy ink cartriges more often than photo printers. Only on the second page is the photo printer actually listed.
It is shown as having seven reviews (a true fact). Clicking on the link, however, goes to a listing that has no reviews! The reviews that six other members and I spent a long time writing are effectively gone, never to be seen by another member until the problem is resolved.
I know this doesn't mean much to Epinions, but I am not going to write any reviews until these problems are resolved. It just isn't worth it, because I know that 99% of readers are not going to dig through ten pages of broken links and irrelevant listings to find my review. They will read the first page, say "this site sucks!", and move on. |
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| sleeper54 |
Posted: Nov 10 '07, 6:51 pm (Updated: Nov 10 '07, 6:53 pm) |
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Reviews written: 496 Member since: Feb 24 '01
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RE: What is going on?
Quote: clearconcise Epinons needs to either:
A. Go back to the old search engine until these problems are fixed.
Aint never gonna happen.
Quote: clearconcise --snip--
Or
B. Delete the "number of clicks" database and start a new -
-snip--
I know this doesn't mean much to Epinions, but I am not going to write any reviews until these problems are resolved. It just isn't worth it, because I know that 99% of readers are not going to dig through ten pages of broken links and irrelevant listings to find my review. They will read the first page, say "this site sucks!", and move on.
Despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary ( see scmrak's post here ) I would still believe most reviews are found through google or other search engines. (Indeed, I pointed my daughter this afternoon to search the site, for laptops, using google. That seemed to work much better for her...)
I will continue to write here while I continue to wait for the shake-out period to pass. Believe me, if we are not happy about decreased hits, the corporate side is surely no happier than we are.
...tom...
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